Peace Cup - RM 1:2 Juventus ; Cris scores but suffers first RM defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty Friday but suffered his first defeat as a Real Madrid player in a 2-1 loss against Juventus in the Peace Cup semifinal.

Fabio Cannavaro opened the scoring and Hasan Salihamidzic notched the winning goal for the Italian club, which will meet Aston Villa in Sunday's final of the 12-team pre-season tournament.

Playing his fourth game since his world-record 94-million-euro (C$144 million) transfer from Manchester United, Ronaldo equalized in the 41st minute after Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini had brought down Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez in the area.

The goal was Ronaldo's second for Madrid. The first also came from a spot-kick in the team's 4-2 win over Liga de Quito on Tuesday.

However, Madrid's new No. 9 endured a frustrating game and escaped punishment in the 14th minute for kicking out at midfielder Felipe Melo after a tough tackle. Melo was given a yellow card.

Ronaldo had to briefly leave the field after a wild challenge in the 89th minute by defender Zdenet Grygera, and was then involved in two minor skirmishes with Juventus players.

Somber music was played briefly before kickoff at Ramon Sanchez de Pizjuan stadium as a mark of respect for former England manager Bobby Robson, who died on Friday, and two Civil Guards who were killed in a car bombing in Mallorca the previous day.

Veteran defender Cannavaro scored against his former club when he burst past the Madrid defence to meet Alessandro Del Piero's inswinging free kick with his head at the near post. Cannavaro returned to Juventus this off-season after three seasons with Madrid.

In a similar goal to the first, Salihamidzic restored Juventus' lead in the 49th minute when he beat Madrid's defense to nod home from Del Piero's corner.

New Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini again omitted Kaka, the second most expensive signing in the club's 214-million-euro (C$328.5 million) spending spree since Florentino Perez regained the presidency last month, as he only began training with the team on Monday.

Meanwhile, Juventus' new coach Ciro Ferrara fielded only one of two recent Brazilian signings - Melo - as forward Diego was injured.

Madrid plays a friendly at Toronto FC on Aug. 7.

Cris : I am happy that I scored my first goal for Real Madrid

Although happy to have scored his first goal as a Madridista, Cristiano Ronaldo stressed the importance of reaching peak form after Tuesday's match.

"I am very happy to have scored my first goal for Real Madrid. It isn't always possible to do those plays because opponents don't let you. One objective is crossed off the list, but all that matters is getting in form, taking one match at a time and improving."

"The coach is running tests and we must respect his work. We are just starting off and need to stay calm. This isn't very important. Winning is important, but even more important is reaching peak form."

"The match against Juventus is good preparation for La Liga. We are all getting to know one another on the team."

Peace Cup - RM 4:2 LDU Quito; Cris 1st goal for RM

Real Madrid will set up a Peace Cup semi-final showdown with Juventus after a 4-2 win over LDU Quito.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the floodgates from the penalty spot, before Esteban Granero, Christoph Metzelder and Alvaro Negredo all got on the scoresheet to secure a victory after LDU had put up a resilient fightback.

First half

With Kaka still not part of the squad's plans for this match, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were the only summer signings included in the starting XI.

The first 30 minutes only showed glimpses of the football Real Madrid are trying to introduce, with the home side rarely capable of constructing chances on goal.

Liga de Quito had two great opportunities in the 37th minute. Their first one came when Bieler met a cross from the right wing after a slip by Michel Salgado and tried to score with a volley towards the left side of the goal but Dudek was there to keep the match scoreless......More

Cris : What's important is that we keep working

Cristiano Ronaldo was happy with his debut match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The player said that getting back into shape is what really matters at this stage.

"We wanted to win, but we faced a tough team. It doesn't matter because this is still the preseason and the important thing is for us to get back into shape. I'm happy."

"We have to think about reaching good form. We've only been working for 17 days and we have to work hard to be in optimum for at the start of La Liga."

"We all have to improve, not just myself and Benzema. We are working very hard and playing friendly games. It is always important to win fixtures, but we have to focus on gaining resistance level for La Liga."

"Many new players have arrived on the team and we are beginning to understand each other. I think it's natural that our hard work still doesn't show."

"I am happy with my debut at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The crowd applauded. I had a lot of fun."

Peace Cup - RM 1:1 Al-Ittihad

Surprise in the Santiago Bernabéu, with Al Ittihad maintained in respect to Real Madrid, the twenty minutes of the end (1-1). In the game of the second day of the Peace Cup, Raul scored first for the merengues (57 m), taking a good pass from Benzema, but seven minutes after the Saudi team froze the Spanish fans, the tie coming in the wake of a free, head for Aboucherouen.
Cristiano Ronaldo, replaced on 65 minutes, was the first holder of the Real Madrid game at home and noticed the affection of fans when he received a big ovation the first time they touched the ball.

Its high point came at 44 minutes when combined with Benzema shot and strong, standing left, to the defense of Zaid, what was the best at Real Madrid's goal in the first part. This was also the best initiative to Ronaldo, who for a few minutes to cross the half-hour until he disappeared.

The Portuguese began the game easy to play, playing at first, trying to schedule with colleagues and create situations of completion. Especially tried to be helpful from a collective, playing more to the team than for himself. In the retina was still a shot over the bar and a pass to Raul has not arrived by centimeters.
After all accounts, the display of Ronaldo was not at the level of the best player in the world, but Real Madrid is itself far from the level that was expected. Although shorn of names like Casillas, Kaká and Pepe, among others, the team of Manuel Pellegrini has experienced bad bits, with Miguel Torres and Dudek prevented the goal of Al-Ittihad, once the initial minutes.